Norway’s Political Institutions – An Overview

By Tor G. Jakobsen

Norway is a constitutional monarchy (i.e., the king is the head of state) with a parliamentary system where the executive power is dependent on the direct or indirect support of the legislature (Stortinget). The constitution grants executive powers to the king, but these rights are exercised by the cabinet (executive). Norway follows Montesquieu’s seperation of powers, in the legislative, executive and judicial power. The judicial power in Norway consists of the courts and the Supreme Court.

From 1396 to 1814 Norway was in an unequal union with Denmark, with the decision making taking place in Copenhagen. Following the Napoleonic wars Norway was transferred into a looser union with Sweden. Norway gained political independence (apart from matters of foreign affairs).

The Norwegian constitution was adopted on May 17th, 1814. It is the constitution day that Norwegians celebrate every 17th of May. The Storting (parliament) was first constituted in 1814.

The union with Sweden was peacefully dissolved in 1905, when Sweden recognized Norwegian independence, and the Norwegians chose for Norway to become a monarchy. In 1919 the Storting changed the election law from a majority system to proportional representation. This affected the party composition in parliament.

Stortinget (Parliament)

Its members are elected every fourth year. A majority of the Storting can at any time vote the sitting government out of office (i.e., the government must have the backing of the Storting to be able to govern).

There are 169 seats in parliament selected from 19 constituencies (identical to the 19 counties of Norway), including 19 seats that are used to adjust, so that nationally underrepresented parties get these. Only parties with a minimum of 4 percent of the national vote may compete for these 19seats.

The election system is roughly proportional. There are some adjustments in favour of smaller counties and large parties. The representatives are to a very high degree bound by their party groups. MPs usually vote with their party.

Composition of present day Storting (169 MPs)

Parties

Votes

% of votes

Seats

% of seats

Norwegian Labor Party

949,049

35.4

64

37.9

Progress Party

614,717

22.9

41

24.3

Conservative Party

462,458

17.2

30

17.8

Socialist Left Party

166,361

6.2

11

6.5

Christian Democratic Party

148,748

5.5

10

5.9

Center Party

165.006

6.2

11

6.5

Liberal Party

104,144

3.9

2

1.2

The Government (executive)

The government is composed of 20 ministers and is led by the prime ministers. Today’s government is a coalition between the Labor Party, Socialist Left Party, and the Center Party. The prime minister is Jens Stoltenberg (Labor). The government is head of the civil service, and can appoint people to the bureaucracy. The government also presents budget to the parliament every October, and prepares proposals for new laws. The Government is appointed by the king. There are three ways for the government to leave office: a) defeat in election b) parties leaving a governing coalition; or c) a vote of no confidence by the parliament.

List of Norwegian post-war governments

Year

Prime minister

Party/parties

1945-1945

Einar Gerhardsen

All parties

1945-1951

Einar Gerhardsen

Labor

1951-1955

Oscar Torp

Labor

1955-1963

Einar Gerhardsen

Labor

1963-1963

John Lyng

Conservative, Center, Liberal, Christian

1963-1965

Einar Gerhardsen

Labor

1965-1971

Per Borten

Center, Conservative, Liberal, Christian

1971-1972

Trygve Bratteli

Labor

1972-1973

Lars Korvald

Christian, Center, Liberal

1973-1976

Trygve Bratteli

Labor

1976-1981

Odvar Nordli

Labor

1981-1981

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Labor

1981-1983

Kåre Willoch

Conservative

1983-1986

Kåre Willoch

Conservative, Christian, Center

1986-1989

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Labor

1989-1990

Jan P. Syse

Conservative, Christian, Center

1990-1996

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Labor

1996-1997

Thorbjørn Jagland

Labor

1997-2000

Kjell Magne Bondevik

Christian, Center, Liberal

2000-2001

Jens Stoltenberg

Labor

2001-2005

Kjell Magne Bondevik

Christian, Conservative, Liberal

2005-

Jens Stoltenberg

Labor, Socialist Left, Center

Civil Cervice

The different departments are the secretariat of the ministers. Departmental work is organized around a moderate hierarchical structure with the minister at the top. Routine work has been delegated to independent agencies called directorates. The citizens of Norway have an instrument outside the courts, where they can complain about “unfair treatment”. This position is called the ombudsman.

Local Government

Norway has a long and strong tradition for local government. Norway is divided into 19 counties, and at the lowest level, into 431 municipalities. The municipalities vary in size and population, from about 300 to more than 480,000 persons. Local government was introduced in the 1837 with the Formannskapsloven (a law pertaining to local government). Today, as in national politics, the political parties play an important role in local politics. There are also county governments, for the 19 counties. In addition, there is the Sami Assembly, which has a symbolic power as the government of the Sami population (an ethnic minority in Norway).

Political Parties

There are seven parties represented in the Storting. These are:

Norwegian Labor Party (Arbeiderpartiet): The largest party in Norway. Is a social democratic party, and has been the biggest political force in post war Norway. Prime Minister Stoltenberg belongs to the Labor Party.

Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet): The second largest party in the Storting. It is a liberal-conservative party committed to tax reductions and free market economics.

Conservative Party (Høyre): Is the second oldest party inNorway. It is a conservative party committed to fiscal free market politics.

Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti): Has its origin in anti-NATO forces within the Labor Party. It is a socialist party committed to fighting for a society without class differences and social injustice.

Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti): Is a family friendly party, holding some conservative opinions.

Center Party (Senterpartiet): Is a centrist and agrarian Norwegian party. Its focus is on maintaining decentralized economic development and political decision-making.

Liberal Party (Venstre): Is Norways oldest political party. It is social-liberal and centrist. The Liberal Party is the smallest party represented in the Storting.

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